Isn’t life really all about the details? Memories would mean nothing without the details of the moments, moments in time.
And details are what draw me to photos. Often it’s the details I can’t see, but suspect might be there. In the case of these two images I had no idea what I had. I just thought they were guys, probably military, hiking across a field. They’re small photos so it wasn’t until I scanned them that I said, “Whoa!”
This weeks Sepia Saturday is about time, which I think in the case of these fellows was pretty important. For them time management was the difference between more time and the end of time.
A clock is not needed to judge the importance of time.
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I have to admit that I fail to see where your "whoa" comes from. Looking at the enlarged pictures, the only thing I can imagine is that these fellows are wearing gas masks and are fleeing poisonous air. Which leads me think this is WWI? Please enlighten me. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteFive men going for a walk suddenly become five men in gas masks, not a usual site. The "whoa" moment was when I found the men had no faces. There's something inherently creepy about gas masks. I expected to see faces. Plus the images became a whole other story when the gas masks appeared. That's why the "whoa."
DeleteThe photo is so "empty" that that emptiness is the only clue as to where this might be.
ReplyDeleteI think you are right - the uniforms appear WWI in vintage and possibly American.
Unusual shots and you need to enlarge them to appreciate the detail.I can see why it made you jump!
ReplyDeletePowerful images and powerful commentary!
ReplyDeleteTime takes on a different perspective when we think of men in a situation like this. My reaction was the same as yours, T&L. And I want more of the story, too.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness yes, not your common photo at all. Not a happy time either, I'm sure. It makes me wonder, who took this photo? Where are they running from and where are they headed. Amazing photo!
ReplyDeleteWow! I wasn't expecting to see gas masks when I enlarged the photo. Like Wendy said, these are powerful photos.
ReplyDeleteMade me think of Wilfred Owen's "Dulce et decorum est."
ReplyDeleteYou are right. It is a brilliant piece and echos the possible future for these fellows.
Deletehttp://www.warpoetry.co.uk/owen1.html
These are very, very interesting. I wonder what was going on, where it was taken, what the cloud in the background consisted of.
ReplyDeleteI stopped by yesterday, but when I am in Firefox (my usual browser), I can't usually see your pictures. I switched over to IE and now can see them fine. Thanks so much for stopping by to see me.
Kathy M.
With the gas masks you have no idea what their faces might express. Are they panicked or just intent. Gas masks are inherently creepy.
ReplyDeleteI don't think this is WW1. I think this is a controlled burn on a western prairie. They are wearing masks for smoke. The second photo looks like a brush fire with wind blowing the flames/smoke away from the men's walk, Perhaps they are forest service, as I don't see any guns or army belt gear or backpacks.
ReplyDeleteThat is very interesting. The image now takes on a whole different story.
DeleteSuch unusual photos - wasn't prepared for the gas masks. It would be interesting to know the story behind these pictures.
ReplyDeleteThe gas masks give me the chills - I wonder if the "clouds" are clouds of gas? Theses pics are very disconcerting so I'm not surprised at your Whoa Moment. Jo
ReplyDeleteGas masks are always so unnerving since you figure the person wearing it knows something you don't know.
ReplyDelete